New Taipei Xinzhuang Xianguang Bing | New Taipei Signature Dish

Xinzhuang's temple street has been lively since the Qing dynasty. Walking along Xinzhuang Road, the Mazu Temple, Dizang Temple, and Ciyou Temple stand in succession, their forecourts often filled with the sound of ceremonial drums. During major religious festivals, divine generals parade with strings of small, holed, savory biscuits hanging from their shoulders — these are Xinzhuang Xianguang Bing. A bite delivers a faint saltiness and the simple flavor of flour, a taste this temple street has passed down for a century.

What is Xianguang Bing?

Xianguang bing is a round, hole-punched, sesame-topped biscuit made from salted dough baked to a firm finish. The texture falls between Taiwanese bread and a bagel — the crust has a slight chewiness, the interior is dense, the salt is subtle, and the flour aroma stands out, making it less heavy than a sweet pastry. Xianguang bing plays a distinct role in Taiwanese folk tradition — during major religious festivals or deity processions, worshippers string xianguang bing onto divine generals' shoulders, calling them "peace biscuits" or "xianguang bing strings," distributed by the temple to worshippers and children along the route as a symbol of protection.

Xianguang bing is said to have originated as field rations for the Ming dynasty general Qi Jiguang, valued for its portability and long shelf life. In Xinzhuang, the representative shop is Laoshunxiang Bakery, which has been in business since 1870 — over 150 years and four generations, making it one of the oldest pastry shops on Xinzhuang Old Street. Laoshunxiang's xianguang bing has won New Taipei City's Best Souvenir award and is an inseparable part of Xinzhuang's temple street culture. Along Xinzhuang Road from Guangfu Temple to Ciyou Temple, the density of temples is extremely high, and xianguang bing is tightly interwoven with temple culture including the Dazhong Lord procession and Guanjiang Shou troupe, making it a rare street food that bridges religious folk tradition and everyday eating.

How to eat it like a local

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During festival seasonDuring Xinzhuang's major religious festivals or the Dizang Temple procession, xianguang bing appear in large quantities on parade troupes and divine generals — the atmosphere is unmatched.

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Pair it with teaXianguang bing can be dry on its own; pairing it with unsweetened hot tea or hot soy milk makes it go down easily. This is one local way to eat it for breakfast.

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Choose a gift boxLaoshunxiang offers gift box packaging — suitable both for elders and as offerings at temples. The savory biscuit keeps better and travels more easily than sweet pastries.

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Children's peace biscuitA traditional custom involves hanging xianguang bing strings around children's necks as a symbol of protection — a ritual local parents bring their children to participate in when visiting temples.

Local knowledge

Verified credentials (sponsored content filtered out)

Laoshunxiang Bakery was founded in 1870, has passed through four generations over 150 years, and is the iconic pastry shop of Xinzhuang Old Street.
Xianguang bing has won the New Taipei City Best Souvenir award.
Xianguang bing is said to trace back to Ming dynasty military rations and is one of the few traditional Taiwanese baked goods with a religious folk function.

Visitor tips

Xinzhuang Old Street has limited space and one-way roads. Drivers are advised to park further away and walk in.
During religious festivals and processions, crowds can be very large. Keep a safe distance when parade troupes pass and do not obstruct them.
Xianguang bing is made primarily from flour and salt with a simple, understated flavor — people who prefer savory to sweet pastries tend to enjoy it more.

Information compiled from the Michelin Guide, New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Bureau, and large volumes of public reviews, with sponsored content filtered out. Photos will be replaced with exclusive channel footage after Dio's on-site shoot.

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